Walmart opened its controversial Neighborhood Market grocery store in Boulder on Wednesday, the discount retail giant's first foray into a city that rebuffed its past attempts to bring a much larger Supercenter to town.

Dozens of Walmart officials and several shoppers were on hand for the 7:30 a.m. grand opening of the grocery store at 2972 Iris Ave., in the Diagonal Plaza. By day's end, Walmart officials said more than 1,000 shoppers had passed through the store's front doors.

The opening also was met by a slow-to-materialize "unwelcome party," with six to 10 protesters appearing by mid-morning to hold signs bearing slogans such as "Walmart Out of Boulder" and "Welfare Mart." The group eventually swelled to several dozen picketers.

They didn't seem to deter shoppers, though.

Megan Evoe, 34, popped by the Walmart after a workout at 24 Hour Fitness. Evoe, who recently moved to Boulder from Austin, Texas, said she planned to be a frequent visitor to the store that is "super convenient" because of its proximity to her gym and home.

"I know Walmart has great prices compared to other grocery stores," she said. " ... Walmart's just cheaper."

Clayton Hurst, a 45-year-old Boulder native who stood outside the store before it opened, said he wanted to be one of the first shoppers at the new Walmart.

Until now, Hurst said he drove to Walmart stores in Longmont and Broomfield. He saved more money than he spent on the gas to get there, he said.

"I'm finally glad to spend my tax dollars here in Boulder and not drive out of town," Hurst said, adding he plans to shop at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at least once a week.

Opposition to store

Walmart's arrival did not come without opposition. In recent months, residents and city officials -- including Boulder's deputy mayor -- have spoken out against the company opening a store in the city.

By mid-morning, a group of protesters hoisting anti-Walmart signs flanked the Neighborhood Market property. The protest was part of an all-day "unwelcome party" organized by the Coalition for Social & Environmental Responsibility in Boulder.

With a sign reading "Walmart Exploits Workers" draped around her neck, Misty Bergstrom, a 40-year-old Boulder resident and member of the organization, said she wanted to protest Walmart's arrival because of concerns she had with the retailer's environmental and labor practices.

"I have strong issues with their environmental irresponsibility," she said, citing actions earlier this year when Walmart pleaded guilty to six counts of violating the Clean Water Act by improperly handling and discarding waste.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., which does business as Walmart, was expected to pay nearly $82 million in fines and penalties in that case.

'Haven't been any issues'

Bergstrom said she is concerned about how Walmart might affect Boulder residents and local businesses.

"My hope is a boycott and to get (Walmart) out of town," she said.

The ranks of the opposition grew midday as members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 union joined the protest.

A Boulder police officer was stationed by the front of the store Wednesday morning. Walmart hired an off-duty police officer for Wednesday's grand opening, said Kim Kobel, a Boulder police spokeswoman. Entities such as the Apple Store and the University of Colorado have taken similar actions for special events, she noted.

"To my knowledge, there haven't been any issues" at Walmart, she said.

Walmart opened its first Neighborhood Market grocery store in 1999. At 39,000 square feet, the average Neighborhood Market is about one-fifth the size of a Walmart Supercenter and has allowed the retailer to gain an operating presence in urban areas and markets where it might not be able to open larger-format stores, analysts have said.

Walmart's Boulder store is about 53,500 square feet, is open 24 hours and seven days a week -- standard operating hours for the concept -- and carries a design similar to other Neighborhood Markets in the state, but also includes items and sections unique to Boulder.

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